In 2017, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Austrian embassy in Sofia (Amb. Roland Hauser and Aneta Genkova) organised the fifth optional study trip of DA students to Bulgaria. From 2 to 9 April 2017, ten students and staff participated in the excursion.

Besides sightseeing in Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Lovech as well as a visit of the historical landmark Shipka pass, the group had the opportunity to discuss current issues with officials, representatives of NGOs, academics and students. The following meetings and events were organised:
• Presentation by the Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute, Mr Yasen Georgiev, on the economic situation of Bulgaria
• Presentation by the Director of Concordia's Sveti Konstantin Youth and Social Center, Ms Dilyana Gyurova, on the social situation in Bulgaria
• Q&A at the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Information Office in Sofia
• Guided tour of the historic National Assembly building
• Opening Concert of the 21st Austrian Music Weeks
• Lunch reception at the Austrian embassy in Sofia at the invitation of Ambassador Hauser
• Open Arts Foundation on art projects in Plovdiv including the city's European Capital of Culture 2019 programme
• Students of the University of Veliko Tarnovo at its Austrian library

In 2016, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Austrian embassy in Sofia (Amb. Roland Hauser and Aneta Genkova) organised the fourth optional study trip of DA students to Bulgaria. From 4 to 9 April 2016, nine students participated in the excursion.

Besides sightseeing in Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo as well as visits of the open-air museum ETAR and the historical landmark Shipka pass, the group had the opportunity to discuss current issues with government officials, representatives of NGOs, academics and students. The following meetings and events were organised:
• Economic Policy Institute on the economic situation of Bulgaria
• Diplomatic Institute
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
• Members of Parliament at the historic National Assembly building
• Opening Concert of the 20th Austrian Music Weeks
• Reception at the Austrian embassy in Sofia
• Open Arts Foundation on art projects in Plovdiv including in the city's European Capital of Culture 2019 programme
• City of Veliko Tarnovo
• Students of the University of Veliko Tarnovo at its Austrian library

In 2015, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Austrian embassy in Sofia (Amb. Roland Hauser and Aneta Genkova) organised the third optional study trip of DA students to Bulgaria. From 6 to 11 April 2015, eight students participated in the excursion.

Besides sightseeing in Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo as well as visits of Koprivshtitsa and the historical landmark Shipka pass, the group had the opportunity to discuss current issues with government officials, representatives of NGOs, academics and students. The following meetings and events were organised:
• Economic Policy Institute on the economic situation of Bulgaria
• Municipal foundation "Plovdiv 2019" on the city's European Capital of Culture 2019 programme
• Students of the St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo at the Austrian library in Veliko Tarnovo

After its premiere in 2013, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and the Austrian embassy in Sofia (Amb. Gerhard Reiweger and Aneta Genkova) organised the second optional study trip of DA students to Bulgaria. From 31 March to 5 April 2014, 12 students participated in the excursion.

Besides sightseeing in Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv as well as visits of Rila monastery, the open-air architectural and ethnographic museum ETAR near Gabrovo and the historical landmark Shipka pass, the group had the opportunity to discuss current issues with government officials, representatives of NGOs, academics and students. The following meetings and events were organised:
• Economic Policy Institute on the economic situation of Bulgaria
• Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria on the situation of Bulgarian business
• Center for the Study of Democracy on the situation of the Bulgarian Roma minority
• City of Veliko Tarnovo on the city’s bid for becoming European Capital of Culture in 2019
• Diplomatic Institute of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Students of the New Bulgarian University
• Students of the St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo at the Austrian library in Veliko Tarnovo